Device for the cure of strabismus.



No. 709,058. Patented-Sept. I6, 1902:. J. E. STIEBLE.

DEVICE FOR THE CURE 0F STBABISMUS.

(Application filed Nov. 11, 1901.)

(No Modal.)

1 I z I I m: mums PETERS cox, mm'ourna. WASHINGTON, 0 r.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN EVANGELIST STIERLE, OF EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN.

DEVICE FOR THE CURE OF STRABISMUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,058, dated September 16, 1902.

Application filed November 11, 1901. Serial No. 81,907. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN EVANGELIST STIERLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eau Claire, in the county of Eau Claire and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Device for the Cure of Strabismus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved device for the treatment of strabismus in either one or both eyes; and the intent and purpose of the improved device is to correct an irregularity of an optic axis or axes and rectify an undue muscular contraction or relaxation by inclosing the affected eye or eyes and gradually causing one or both to be normally disposed or straightened by a physical effort to glance through a sight-tube forming the sole visionary means and adjusted to suit the position of the pupil and eye as an entirety, the sight-tube being so arranged as to exclude the entrance to the eye or eyes of lateral light-rays.

The invention consists in the. construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of glasses or spectacles embodying the features of the invention and showing the meansarranged for the treatment of strabismus in one eye. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the improved means arranged for treatment of strabismus in both eyes. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the improved spectacles or glasses. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of a portion of one of the eye-inclosures. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of a portion of one of the eye-inclosures. Fig. 6 is an elevation of one of the front plates, looking toward the inner side thereof and showing the rotatable means for supporting the tube-carrying slide. Fig. 7 is a similar view of one of the front plates, showing the tube-carrying slide in position and adj usted in a longitudinal direction. Fig.- 8 is a detail perspective view of the supporting means for the tube-carrying slide. Figs. 9 and 10 are views similar to Figs; t and 5, respectively, illustrating a slightlymodified structure.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates the shields, constructed with a covering 2, having an inner softened rim 3 to bear closely against the face around the eyes to exclude the light, the shields standing outwardly when applied and converging toward theirinner opposing extremities. The inner extremities of the shields are connected, as usual, by a nosebridge 4:, and to the outer extremities thereof the terminals of a supporting-strap or headband 5 are connected. -In the front of the shields are bezels or rims 6, which hold opaque plates 7 with central openings 8, and on the inner sides of the said plates are inwardlyprojecting supporting-flanges 9, completely surrounding the central openings 8. Applied to the inner edge of each flange 9 is a rotatable holder 10, having outwardly-projecting oppositely-disposed lips 11, embracing the said flange, and inner bent guides 12 at diametrically opposite points between the planes of the said lips. In the centerof the holder is an elongated slot 13, which is equal in length to the diameter of the opening Sin the plate 7 in advance of the same and also equalin Width to the diameter of an inwardlyprojecting tube 14, which adjustably coincides with the said slot 13, the said tube being carried by a slide 15, movably engaging the guides 12 of the holder 10 and having at one end an inward projection 16 to assist in adjusting the same. The holder 10 and the slide engaging the same are unitedly rotatable, or the slide 15 may be adjusted independently of the holder to accommodate the angle or position of the affected eye.

As shown by Figs. 1 and 2, either one or both plates 7 can be provided with the devices just described to treat either one or both eyes, and the adjustment of the several parts as set forth will permit the device as an entirety to operate in conjunction with eyes having contracted or relaxed muscles, or any position of the eyeball through an irregularity may be accommodated. The inner surfaces of the several parts next to the eyes will have a dark mat finish to render them easy on the eyes, and all light-rays will be excluded except through the tubes, so that the affected eye or eyes in the effort to gain a view of the exterior or exercise vision will be caused to look through said tubes, and by a gradual adjustment of the slides carrying the tubes the affected eye or eyes will eventually become straightened or assume a normal position without pain or material inconvenience.

The form of the device shown by Fig. 1 is arranged to treat one eye having an irregularity, the other plate 7, having a supportingplate 17, secured thereto with a tube 18, projecting forwardly therefrom through the opening in the said plate 7, and to theinner side of the plate 17 a covering-slide 19is pivotally secured if it is desired to shut off the vision of the unaffected eye in order to cause the opposite affected eye to perform the sole visionary function, and thereby facilitate straightening the same. It is often found that two eyes affected with strabismus occupy diiferent positions, or one may be less affected than the other, and the double arrangement of the improved device, as shown by Fig. 2, will be found exceptionally useful in such cases in view of the capability of differentiation of adjustment in the two separate sets of devices.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 the inner flange 9 is dispensed with and a flanged disk 10 is fitted directly in the opening in the plate 7. At a point inside the plate guides 12 are secured to the disk, serving not only as supports for the tube-slide 15, but also acting to retain the disk in proper position.

The tubes are of such length as to prevent the wearer observing anything until by muscular contraction the pupil is brought opposite the tube, and the constant involuntary exercise of the controlling-muscles strengthens them to such an extent that a cure is effected without causing the patient any pain.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A device for treating strabismus, consisting of one or more opaque plates having enlarged openings, slides covering said openings, and inwardly-projecting sighttubes carried by the slides and adjustable therewith to accommodate the position of the pnpils of the affected eyes.

2. A device for treating strabismus, comprising plates having central openings, and sighttubes projecting inwardly from the plates and adjustable over the entire area of said openings.

3. A device for treating strabismus, comprising one or more plates having central openings, a slide covering each opening and adjustable longitudinally and rotatably with respect thereto, and a sight-tube carried by each slide.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN EVANGELIST STIERLE.

Witnesses:

LEWIS E. MooREs, G. W. PICKIN. 

